Composition for the permanent shaping of human hair

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a composition for the permanent shaping of human hair comprising a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and quaternized vinylimidazole at a concentration in the range of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight calculated to total composition and process for permanent shaping human hair with the said compositions.

The present invention concerns a composition for the permanent shapingof human hair used both for the permanent waving of human hair with anexcellent waving effect as well as for the straightening of eithernaturally or chemically curled hair.

It is generally known that permanent waving is carried out in two steps,the reductive splitting of the cysteine disulfide bonds in the hair by areducing agent, and the subsequent neutralization by application of anoxidizing agent, whereby the cysteine disulfide bonds are restored.

The reducing agent still most frequently used today is thioglycolicacid, also in form of the salts thereof, in particular its ammoniumsalt, although numerous other thio compounds have been proposed for thispurpose, which, however, mostly did not succeed.

The compositions containing thioglycollates are customarily applied at apH-value between 7 and 10, in particular 8.5 and 9.5.

Such compositions vary in their waving and/or straightening performanceand, therefore, there is still need for further improvement.

The present invention starts from the task of providing a compositionfor the permanent shaping of human hair with excellent waving andstraightening performance. Hair waved or straightened with compositiondisclosed herein looks and feels natural upon touching by hand. Forwaved hair it is especially important that the hair has excellentelasticity and bounce

Accordingly, the first object of the present invention is a compositionfor permanent shaping and/or straightening hair based on at least onereducing agent at a concentration of above 2% by weight, calculated tothe total composition, which further comprises copolymer ofvinylpyrrolidone and quaternized vinylimidazole at a concentration inthe range of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, calculated to total composition.

Use of cationic polymers in permanent shaping compositions of keratinfibres is generally known in the art. The cationic polymers suggesteduntil now is especially Polyquaternium-6 which is a homopolymer ofdimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride. It has not been known a permanentshaping composition comprising a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone andquaternized vinylimidazole.

Composition of the present invention comprises copolymer ofvinylpyrrolidone and quaternized vinylimidazole at a concentration of0.1 to 2.5%, preferably 0.2 to 2%, more preferably 0.25 to 1.5 and mostpreferably 0.25 to 1% by weight calculated to total composition.

Copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and quaternized vinylimidazole are knownwith their CTFA name Polyquaternium-16, which is the most preferredcopolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and quaternized vinylimidazole within themeaning of the present invention. There are various types ofPolyquaternium-16 available varying with their cationic charge density,i.e. number of charge per gram polymer expressed as meq/g. According topresent invention charge density is calculated at pH7.0. Within themeaning of the present invention, preferred copolymers ofvinylpyrrolidone and quaternized vinylimidazole has a charge density atleast 2 meq/g, preferably 3.0 meq/g, more preferably 6.1 meq/g at pH7.0. Such polymers are available under the trade name Luviquat fromBASF.

The permanent shaping compositions according to the invention compriseat least one reducing compound at a concentration of at least 2.0% byweight calculated to total composition. Preferred are thioglycolic acidand thiolactic acid as well as the salts thereof, in particular theammonium and ethanolamine salts. Further useful thio compounds are inparticular cysteine or the hydrochloride thereof, homocysteine,cysteamine, N-acetyl cysteine, thioglycerol, ethanediolmonothioglycollate, 1,2-propyleneglycol monothioglycollate (see alsoWO-A 93/1791), 1-3-propanediol monothioglycollate or the isomer mixtureresulting therefrom, 1,3-butanediol and 1,4-butanediolmonothioglycollate and the isomer mixtures therefrom, polyethyleneglycol, such as di-, tri- and tetraethyleneglycol monothioglycollates,glycerol monothiolactate and further thio acids and the esters thereof,as well as mixtures thereof.

The use of inorganic reducing sulfur compounds such as sodium hydrogensulfite is basically also possible.

The total reduction agent content in the compositions according to theinvention customarily amounts from 2.0 to 15%, preferably 2.5 to 12.5%by weight, calculated to total composition as free thioglycolic acid asreference substance.

The permanent shaping compositions containing reducing agents can, ifnecessary, comprise alkalizing agents. Their quantity is dependent onthe reducing agent and the desired pH-value of the composition. Reducingagent compositions preferably contain 0.1% to 5%, in particular 0.5% to2.5% by weight thereof, calculated to the total composition. Alkalizingagents preferred within the scope of the invention are ammoniumcarbamate, ammonia and/or ammonium(bi)carbonate, and triethanolamine. Itis desirable to adjust the pH-value between about 6.5 and 10.5,preferably about 7 to 9.5.

The permanent shaping compositions according to the invention are suitedfor use both for the permanent waving, i.e. curling of human hair andfor the straightening, i.e. smoothing thereof.

The viscosity best suited for the permanent shaping compositionsaccording to the invention proved to be in the range of 500 to 10,000mPa·s, preferably about 1,000 to about 5,000 mPa·s, measured at 20° C.in a Brookfield viscosimeter (no. 5 spindle), whereas the viscositysuited for the straightening compositions is preferably higher in arange up to 50,000 mPa·s, preferably up to 30,000 mPa·s measured at 20°C. in a Brookfield viscosimeter (no. 5 spindle).

The viscosity is adjusted by addition of the appropriate amounts ofthickening agents known per se, such as cellulose derivatives.Thickening may as well be realized by formulating a composition in formof an emulsion with the use of C₁₀-C₂₂-fatty alcohols, in admixture withlong mono alkyl chain quaternary ammonium surfactants.

The permanent shaping compositions according to the present inventionpreferably comprise surfactants selected from anionic, nonionic,cationic and amphoteric ones. Their proportion ranges from 0.05% to 10%,in particular from 0.1% to 5% by weight, calculated to totalcomposition.

Suitable anionic surfactants are especially the known alkyl ethersulfates and carboxylic acids, in particular in form of their alkalisalts, as well as protein fatty acid condensates.

Suitable nonionic surfactants, which are preferred within the scope ofthe invention, are in particular C₈-C₁₈-fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers,fatty acid polyglycol esters, fatty acid alkanolamides, amineoxides, andespecially C₈-C₁₈-alkyl polyglucosides.

Also possible is the incorporation of amphoteric surfactants, such asthe known alkyl betaines, alkyl amido betaines, and alkyl amphoacetates.

Further according to a further preferred embodiment, permanent shapingcompositions comprise at least one cationic surfactant according togeneral formula

where R₁s a saturated or unsaturated, branched or non-branched alkylchain with 8-22 C atoms orR₅CONH(CH₂)_(n)where R₅ is saturated or unsaturated, branched or non-branched alkylchain with 7-21 C atoms and n has typical value of 0-4 orR₆COO(CH₂)_(n)where R₆ is saturated or unsaturated, branched or non-branched alkylchain with 7-21 C atoms and n has typical value of 0-4, and

R₂ is a hydrogen, saturated or unsaturated, branched or non-branchedalkyl chain with 1-22 C atoms orR₅CONH(CH₂)_(n)where R₅ is saturated or unsaturated, branched or non-branched alkylchain with 7-21 C atoms and n has typical value of 0-4 orR₆ COO(CH₂)_(n)where R₆ is saturated or unsaturated, branched or non-branched alkylchain with 7-21 C atoms and n has typical value of 0-4,and R₃ and R₄ are independent from each other H or lower alkyl chainwith 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X is chloride, bromide or methosulfate.

Concentration of cationic surfactant is in the range from 0.05% to 5%,preferably 0.1% to 2.5% by weight, calculated to total composition.

Suitable long-chain quaternary ammonium compounds which can be usedalone or in admixture are in particular cetyl trimethyl ammoniumchloride, dimethyl dicetyl ammonium chloride, trimethyl cetyl ammoniumbromide chloride, stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, dimethyl stearylbenzyl ammonium chloride, benzyl tetradecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,dimethyl dihydrogenated tallow ammonium chloride, lauryl pyridiniumchloride, lauryl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, lauryl trimethylammonium chloride, tris-(oligooxyethyl) alkyl ammonium phosphate, cetylpyridinium chloride, etc.

Further permanent chaping compositions of the present invention maycomprise additional cationic polymer. Basically suitable are allcationic polymers listed under the generic name “Polyquaternium” in theCTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary. Examples arePolyquaternium 6, Polyquaternium 7, Polyquaternium 10, Polyquaternium11, Polyquaternium 22 and Polyquaternium 28, and Polyquaternium 39.

The cationic polymers also include the quaternized products of graftpolymers from organopolysiloxanes and polyethyl oxazolines described inEP-A 524 612 and EP-A 640 643. Such polymer is known with its CTFA namePolysilicone-9.

Concentration of one or more additional cationic polymers is in therange from 0.05% to 2.5%, preferably 0.1% to 1.5% by weight, calculatedto total composition.

Permanent shaping compositions of present invention can compriseadditionally at least one organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents are2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, mono and dialcohols or the ethers thereof, inparticular mono-C₁-C₃-alkyl ether, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropylalcohol, 1-methoxypropanol, 1-ethoxypropanol and ethoxydiglycol, diolsand their esters 1,3- and 1,4-butanediol, diethyleneglycol and themonomethyl and monoethyl ether thereof, dipropylene glycol and themonomethyl and monoethyl ether thereof, glycerol, hexanetriol, ethylcarbitol, benzyl alcohol, benzyloxy ethanol, propylene carbonate,N-alkyl pyrrolidone, and urea or their mixture preferably in an amountfrom about 0.1% to 10% by weight, calculated to the total composition.

Permanent shaping composition of the present invention can comprisefurther ceramide type of compound such ascetyl-PG-hydroxyethylpalmitamide.

Further optional ingredient are sterols, especially the phytosterols aspreferred hair restructuring agents. Especially preferred ones are ofplant origin for example ergosterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol,fucosterol, brassicasterol, fungisterol, campesterol, zymosterol,ascosterol, cerevisterol, episterol, faecosterol, spinasterol. Amongthose phytosterols, the ones found in “Avocadin” which is theunsaponified fraction of the avocado oil is more preferred.

Optionally fatty acids of C10 to C22 may be incorporated into thecompositions of the present invention at a concentration of preferably0.01 to 2.5% by weight calculated to total composition.

Another preferred compound in the permanent shaping composition of thepresent invention is silicone compounds and especially aminatedsilicones such as amodimethicone available from for example Dow Corningunder the brand names Dow Corning 949 Emulsion and Dow Corning 2-8194.Concentration of silicones, especially amodimethicone, is in the rangeof 0.05 to 2.5%, preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight calculated to totalcomposition.

Additionally, one or more natural oil component may be incorporated intothe compositions of the present invention. Suitable are such as oliveoil, almond oil, avocado oil, wheatgerm oil, ricinus oil or theirmixture. Concentration of these natural oil ingredients should be 0.01to 2.5%, preferably 0.01. to 1%, more preferably 0.05 to 0.5% by weight,calculated to total composition.

Further additional compounds may be present in the permanent shapingcompositions of the present invention is ubichinone of the formula

where n is a number between 1 and 10. Preferred ubichinones are the oneswhere n is a number between 6 and 10 and especially preferred isUbichinone 50 where n is 10, also known as Coenzyme Q10. Concentrationubichinone of the above formula in permanent shaping compositions of thepresent invention is from 0.0001 to 1%, preferably from 0.0002 to 0.75%,more preferably from 0.0002 to 0.5% and most preferably from 0.0005 to0.5% by weight, calculated to total composition.

The compositions used according to the invention can naturally compriseall the substances customarily found in permanent shaping compositions,a list of which will not be given here, and are preferably present assolutions, gels with a higher or lower viscosity, emulsions or creams.They can be single-phase products or compositions packed into separatepackaging which are united upon application, as they are disclosed, forexample, in DE-C 43 04 828.

In order to avoid repetition, reference is here made to the state of theart as it is described, for example, in “Ullmann's Encyclopedia ofIndustrial Chemistry”, Vol. A12 (1986), pages 588 to 591, and inparticular to the monography of K. Schrader, “Grundlagen und Rezepturender Kosmetika”, 2 nd. Ed. (1989, Hüthig Buchverlag) pages 823 to 840, aswell as the article by D. Hollenberg et. al. in“Seifen-Öle-Fette-Wachse”, 117 (1991), pages 81 to 87.

Composition of the present invention is used in a process for permanentwaving wherein hair is washed or shampooed first and wound on thecurlers, subsequently a reducing agent composition comprising at leastone reducing agent at a concentration of above 2% by weight calculatedto total composition and a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and quaternizedvinylimidazole at a concentration in the range of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight,calculated to total composition is applied onto hair and after 1 to 45min, preferably 1 to 30 min of processing time, depending on the hairstrength, rinsed off from hair with tap water and an oxidizingcomposition comprising at least one oxidizing agent, preferably hydrogenperoxide or sodium bromate at a concentration of 0.5 to 10% by weightcalculated to total of oxidizing composition, is applied onto hair andleft on the hair 1 to 20 min and rinsed off and curlers removed fromhair. In cases where additional conditioning composition is requiredthis may as well be applied after finishing the process as describedabove.

In another process as described above the curlers are removed afterrinsing off the reducing agent and before applying the oxidizing agent.

Further in another process, after rinsing off the reducing agent fromhair, an intermediate treatment composition is applied onto hair andwithout rinsing off but after removing the excess amount of intermediatetreatment with a towel, oxidizing composition is applied and at the endof the processing they are rinsed off from hair and curlers are removedfrom hair.

It has further been found out that the use of copolymer ofvinylpyrrolidone and quaternized vinylimidazole at a concentration inthe range of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, calculated to total composition, inthe intermediate treatment composition improves the permanent shaping ofhair as well in terms of curl appearance and natural look and feel ofhair. Therefore, in another preferred form of the present invention,permanent shaping of hair is carried our with a process wherein hair iswashed or shampooed first and subsequently a reducing agent comprisingcomposition is applied onto hair and after 1 to 45 min, preferably 1 to30 min of processing time, depending on the hair strength, rinsed offfrom hair with tap water and an intermediate treatment compositioncomprising copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and quaternized vinylimidazoleat a concentration in the range of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, calculated tototal composition is applied and without rinsing off an oxidizingcomposition comprising at least one oxidizing agent, preferably hydrogenperoxide or sodium bromate at a concentration of 0.5 to 10% by weightcalculated to total of oxidizing composition, is applied onto hair andleft on the hair 1 to 20 min and rinsed off. In cases where additionalconditioning composition is required this may as well be applied afterfinishing the above process. In case of permanent waving hair in theabove process curlers are put onto hair before application of reducingcomposition and taken off from hair before application of oxidizingcomposition or after application and processing of the oxidizingcomposition.

The intermediate treatment composition has a pH value between 2.5 to 6,preferably 3 to 5.5 and most preferably 3 to 5.

A straightening process may also be carried out in a different processwherein hair is washed and/or shampooed and dried and reducingcomposition comprising at least one reducing compound at a concentrationof above 2% by weight, calculated to the total composition and copolymerof vinylpyrrolidone and quaternized vinylimidazole at a concentration inthe range of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, calculated to total composition isapplied onto dry hair and processed for 5 to 60 min, preferably 5 to 45min and rinsed off with water and dried and the dry hair physicallystraighten with hot iron at a temperature of 130 to 210° C. andsubsequently an oxidizing composition comprising at least one oxidizingagent, preferably hydrogen peroxide or sodium bromate at a concentrationof 0.5 to 10% by weight calculated to total of oxidizing composition, isapplied onto hair and left on the hair 1 to 20 min and rinsed off.

The following examples are to illustrate the invention, but not to limitit.

EXAMPLE 1

Alkaline Permanent Wave for Normal Hair Ammonium thioglycolate (60%)21.3 (% by wt. Ammonium hydrogen carbonate 5.0 1,3-butylene gylcol 3.0Polyquaternium-16* 0.5 PEG-40-Hydrogenated castor oil 0.7 Perfume 0.4Ammonia, 25% ad pH 8.3 Water ad 100.0 *Luviquat ® Excellence availablefrom BASF, which is a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone (present at 5% byweight of the total copolymer) and quaternized vinylimidazole (presentat 95% by weight of the total copolymer) having a molecular weight (bylight scattering) of 40,000 and a charge density of 6.1 meq/g at pH 7.

With this composition the hair was permanently waved for about 15minutes, rinsed and neutralized for about 8 minutes with a customary2.5% H₂0₂ composition. Homogeneous wave appearance was obtained.Exclusion of Polyquaternium-16 resulted in less homogeneous permappearance.

EXAMPLE 2

Alkaline Permanent Wave for Normal Hair Ammonium thioglycolate (60%) 20(% by wt. Ammonium hydrogen carbonate 4.0 1,3-butylene gylcol 3.0Polyquaternium-16* 0.25 PEG-40-Hydrogenated castor oil 0.7 Perfume 0.4Ammonia, 25% ad pH 8.3 Water ad 100.0 *Luviquat HM 552 available fromBASF

With this composition the hair was permanently waved for about 15minutes, rinsed and neutralized for about 8 minutes with a customary2.5% H₂0₂ composition. Homogeneous wave appearance was obtained.Exclusion of Polyquaternium-16 resulted in less homogeneous permappearance.

EXAMPLE 3

Alkaline Permanent Wave for Damaged Hair Ammonium thioglycollate (60%)15.0 (% by wt.) Ammonium hydrogen carbonate 2.5 Ceteth-20 0.7Cetrimonium chloride 0.1 1,3-butylene gylcol 0.5 Polyquaternium-16* 0.8Perfume 0.4 Ammonia, 25% ad pH 8.0 Water ad 100.0 *Luviquat Excellenceavailable from BASF

The permanent wave achieved with this composition was similar to the oneobtained with the composition according to Example 1.

Exclusion of the Polyquaternium-16 led to waves with substantiallyweaker contours.

EXAMPLE 3

Alkaline Permanent Wave for Damaged Hair Ammonium thioglycollate (60%)0.9 (% by wt.) Cystein hydrochloride 5.7 Ammonium hydrogen carbonate 1.5Acetylcystein 0.7 Cetrimonium chloride 0.1 1,3-butylene gylcol 0.5Polyquaternium-16* 1.5 Amodimethicone 0.2 Coenzyme Q10 0.05 Oleic acid0.05 Perfume 0.4 Ammonia, 25% ad pH 9.8 Water ad 100.0 *LuviquatExcellence available from BASF

The permanent wave achieved with this composition was similar to the oneobtained with the composition according to Example 1.

Exclusion of the Polyquaternium-16 led to substantially weaker waves.

EXAMPLE 4 Neutral Permanent Wave for Normal Hair

A permanent waving product consisting of two Compositions A and B,filled into a two-chamber packaging the chambers of which were keptseparate until application, was prepared by destruction of theseparating wall and applied onto human hair rolled onto curlers. Thehair was rinsed after about fifteen minutes processing and neutralizedfor about five minutes with a 2.5% H₂O₂ neutralizer composition, rinsedagain, shampooed and dried.

An expressive, even, intensive permanent wave was obtained.

An identical treatment which had no Polyqauternium-16 showed a visiblyinferior wave.

Composition A:

Ammonium hydrogen carbonate 4.5 (g) Polyquaternium-16* 1.0PEG-65-Hydrogenated castor oil 0.8 Isopropyl alcohol 1.5 Ethoxydiglycol2.0 Cocoamidopropyl betaine 1.0 Perfume 0.3 Coenzyme Q10 0.05Turbidifying agent 0.5 Ammonia, 25% ad pH 8.4 Water ad 72.0 *LuviquatExcellence available from BASFComposition B:

Ammonium thioglycollate, 70% 18.0 (g) Thiolactic acid 2.02-Methyl-1.3-propanediol 0.5 Ammonia, 25% ad pH 5.5 Water ad 28.0

After admixture of both Compositions a ready-to-use product with apH-value of 7.4 was obtained.

EXAMPLE 5 Neutral Permanent Wave for Dyed Hair

A permanent waving product filled into a two-chamber package wasprepared in analogy to Example 4:

Composition A:

Ammonium hydrogen carbonate 3.5 (g) Polyquaternium-16* 0.5 Ethanol 0.51-Methoxypropanol 1.0 Cocoamidopropyl betaine 1.0 PEG-25-glycerylcocoate 0.8 Coenzyme Q10 0.1 Oleic acid 0.05 Perfume 0.3 Turbidifyingagent 0.5 Ammonia, 25% ad pH 8.3 Water ad 72.0 *Luviquat Excellenceavailable from BASFComposition B:

Ammonium thioglycollate, 70% 13.0 (g) Thiolactic acid 0.52-Methyl-1.3-propanediol 1.5 Ammonia, 25% ad pH 5.5 Water ad 28.0

A product with a pH-value of 7.4 was obtained by admixture of theCompositions immediately prior to application. After application ontodyed hair as described in Example 3, this mixture resulted in anexpressive permanent wave, which had not effect whatever on the colorgloss and color intensity.

EXAMPLE 6

Alkaline Permanent Waving Gel Ammonium thioglycollate, 70% 15.0 (g)Ammonium hydrogen carbonate 4.5 PEG-40-Hydrogenated castor oil 0.7C₁₂-C₁₈-Fatty alcohol mixture 3.5 Cetrimonium chloride 2.0Amodimethicone 0.05 2-Methyl-1.3-propanediol 0.5 Polyquaternium-16* 0.4Coenzyme Q10 0.1 Perfume 0.3 Ammonia, 25% ad pH 8.0 Water ad 100.0

Intermediate treatment composition Asparagic acid 0.25% by weightGlutamic acid 0.50 Alanin DL 0.25 Magnesium sulfate 10.00Polyquaternium-16* 0.2 Water q.s. to 100 *Luviquat Excellence availablefrom BASF

The above composition had a pH of 4.10.

EXAMPLE 7

Straightening Composition Thioglycolic acid 8.0 (% by wt.) C₁₆-C₂₂-Fattyalcohol mixture 3.5 Oleth-50 2.5 Laureth-23 1.5 Polyquaternium-16 0.8Ethanol 5.0 Perfume 0.6 Monoethanolamine ad pH 9.3 Water ad 100.0*Luviquat Excellence available from BASF

This composition constitutes an effecting smoothing composition forkinky hair.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Composition for the curling of human hair,comprising at least one reducing agent at a concentration of above 2% byweight, calculated to total composition, and a copolymer ofvinylpyrrolidone, present at 5% by weight of the total copolymer, andquaternized vinylimidazole, present at 95% by weight of the totalcopolymer, at a concentration in the range of 0.1 to 2.5% by weightcalculated to total composition, wherein the copolymer has a cationiccharge density of at least 6.1 meq/g at pH 7.0 and a molecular weight,by light scattering method, of 40,000.
 2. Composition according to claim1, wherein the reducing agents are selected from thioglycolic acid,thiolactic acid and its salts, cystein and its hydrochloride salt andacetylcystein.
 3. Composition according to claim 1, wherein it has aBrookfield viscosity of 500 to 10,000 mPa·s at 20° C.
 4. Compositionaccording to claim 1, further comprising at least one surfactantselected from anionic, nonionic and amphoteric ones at a concentrationof 0.05 to 10% by weight, calculated to total composition. 5.Composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least oneorganic solvent at a concentration of 0.1 to 10% by weight, calculatedto total composition.
 6. Composition according to claim 1, furthercomprising at least one ubichinone of the formula

where n is a number between 1 and
 10. 7. Composition according to claim1, further comprising aminated silicone at a concentration of 0.05 to2.5% by weight, calculated to total composition.
 8. Compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein it has a pH in the range of 6.5 to 10.5.9. Composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least onecationic surfactant.
 10. Process for permanent waving of hair,comprising the steps of, in order: washing or shampooing hair first andthen winding the hair on curlers and applying on to the hair thecomposition according to claim 1 onto the hair, at the end of the 1 to45 min of processing time, rinsing off the composition from the hairwith tap water, applying onto the hair an oxidizing compositioncomprising at least one oxidizing agent, at a concentration of 0.5 to10% by weight calculated to total of oxidizing composition, leaving theoxidizing composition on the hair 1 to 20 min rinsing off the oxidizingcomposition from the hair and removing the curlers from the hair. 11.Process according to claim 10 wherein after rinsing off the compositionaccording to claim 1 from the hair, an intermediate treatmentcomposition optionally comprising a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone andquaternized vinylimidazole at a concentration in the range of 0.1 to2.5% by weight calculated to total composition is applied onto hair andwithout rinsing off and after removal of the excess amount with towel,the oxidizing composition is applied and at the end of the processingthey are rinsed off from hair.
 12. Process for straightening hairwherein hair is washed and/or shampooed and dried and reducingcomposition according to claim 1 is applied onto dry hair and processedfor 5 to 60 min and rinsed off with water and dried and the dry hairphysically straighten with hot iron at a temperature of 130 to 210° C.and subsequently an oxidizing composition comprising at least oneoxidizing agent at a concentration of 0.5 to 10% by weight calculated tototal of oxidizing composition, is applied onto hair and left on thehair 1 to 20 min and rinsed off.